Touch that ignites change

The woman who bled for 12 years thought, "If only I can touch His robe, I will be healed." 

The Greek word for touch can be described as her flame touched Jesus' flame and it became one. 

The fire of faith inside her ignited the fire inside Him and this is why she was healed when she touched Him. This is also why no one else in the crowd bumping up against Him were healed. They did not touch Him with a fire of faith that could be ignited.  

O Father, give us the fire of faith that ignites healing. In Jesus' name, amen!

Abiding Stability

I have had in my mind's eye a visual showing the Anchor of Hope and the Vine. I saw the vine encircling the anchor with much fruit hanging. I realize these two would never really be in the same environment, yet we are given both the Anchor and the Vine as visuals and names for our LORD.

Stability and life. 

Security and fruitfulness. 

Strength and multiplication. 

I remembered seeing what an anchor looked like in Jesus' day when I was in Israel. So, I sought to try to paint it with vines growing around it. It wasn't until I was done painting it that I realized that there is a heart shape. I love this because both the Anchor of Hope and the Vine are ways God reveals His love to us through His Son, Jesus. 

I hope my simple painting blesses your heart.

"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure" (Heb. 6:19).

"I am the vibe, you are the branches; whoever remains in me bears much fruit" (John 15:5).

Winter will always lead to spring

As I sat with one of my lovelies, we were discussing the hardship of winter. Our winter seasons are so hard. They are dark and cold, so very cold. This makes us feel alone, lonely. I told her, "I truly believe it is about to get better and you will be lifted up." 

"How do you know this?" She asked.

As I looked out the windows I saw the beautiful buds on the trees. "Well, there are several reasons why. Look at the trees. What do you see?"

"The tree has new leaves starting to grow." 

"Exactly, after winter comes spring. Always. Why?"

"It must die or go dormant to bring new life again."

"Yes! Exactly! I have also observed the reality of this in my life. When it feels the darkest and as if I can't press on, I soon discover new life being born again. Seasons come, but they must also pass on. There is hope in this rhythm."

"For behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land" Song of Solomon 2:11-12 (ESV).

Where do you feel worn out?

What in your life wears you out? You know that feeling that drags you down and makes you feel harassed, hassled, or exhausted? 

Yesterday, I came across Daniel 7:25 and was caught by the statement that the "little horn" which in this case is referencing the one who is the anti-Christ or in words we understand Satan, will "wear out", "oppress", or "wear down" the saints. 

Okay, seriously! Let us sit here for a moment. The enemy of God will strategically do whatever it takes to wear us down. In the original language, this implies being so wore down that you are no longer usable. It is a harassment that affects us mentally, emotionally, socially, and spiritually. It is consumption. 

So let's ask again, what is wearing you down or consuming you? Is it scrolling social media or the internet? Or maybe the news? Or a schedule that is so full that you no longer pause for fueling your soul? Or maybe you have forgotten how to play? Or maybe you spend too much time watching TV? Or maybe you have stopped dreaming or creating? Or you have so isolated yourself that you no longer know how to relate or connect? Well, the list can go on. These are just a few of my consumption possibilities that wear me out if I do not keep watch over them. 

I immediately am reminded that when Jesus saw that the people were harassed and hassled like sheep without a shepherd He had compassion on them (Matthew 9:36).

We are not left hopeless with this warning that the enemy will wear us down. We are also given a beautiful promise. 

Satan's power will be taken away. Daniel 7: 26 actually tells us THE COURT will sit and his power will be destroyed forever. FOREVER. 

It took me a moment. At first, I thought this meant that Satan would be made to sit as well as his minions, legions, and dominion. But it actually means that Jesus' court will sit. We are told in Psalm 110:1 that Jesus will place Satan, sin, and death under His "footstool" to show complete defeat. Imagine with me Jesus completely relaxed with His feet propped up on a stool with the enemies of God sittting under His feet. It is done. Finished. Victory completed. Satan's court does sit under Jesus' feet defeated. 

Y'all we have hope in Jesus. He is our author and finisher of our faith. Right now, we need to keep our eyes on the ONE who sees that we are harassed and hassled. He has compassion for us. He sees the atrocities of man and the depth of our depravity. He knows who is evil and who is innocent. He is returning with complete victory. The evil one and all who join him will be defeated once and for all. 

So, we must draw near to Him. Seek Jesus! Call upon His name. He will answer you with compassion. We are remind in Daniel 7:27, "Then the sovereignty, power, and greatness of all the kingdoms under heaven will be handed over to the holy people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey HIM." 

Would you rather be worn down by the one who will be defeated or be one who takes part in the heavenly kingdom?

Feelings versus obedience in God's covering

Our class was discussing the importance of worship. When a heated discussion started on feelings. I don't remember my professors name or even his face, but this lesson is a lesson I have taught alot through the years. Lately, I have shared it so much that God gave me a visual to try to illustrate it.

Imagine with me in the Old Testament when Moses was asking Pharoah to let God's people go so they could worship their God. Do you remember the battle of the plagues? There were ten in total. Each plague was used to illustrate that God was greater than any other god. Egypt had many gods that "plagued" the land. God used the plagues to demonstrate His sovereignty over all of creation. His people were to worship Him and Him alone. They were to have no idols before Him.

But the final last plague came with a warning and promise.

And the Lord said to Moses, “When you go back to Egypt, see that you do before Pharaoh all the miracles that I have put in your power. But I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go. Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the Lord, Israel is my firstborn son, and I say to you, “Let my son go that he may serve me.” If you refuse to let him go, behold, I will kill your firstborn son.’” (Exodus 4:21-23)

We must first recognize that Pharoah was viewed as a god. The last and final plague was to prove God's power and authority over Pharoah and Egypt.

This is where our illustration began. My professor shared...

Imagine all of the different families across Egypt as word spread that Moses said, "You must cover the lentil of our door posts with the blood of a lamb that has been sacrificed. When the Spirit of God passes over Egypt when He sees the blood, He will Passover and the first born son will be saved from death. If there is no blood covering the first born sons in that household will die."

One family in fear would cover the door frame with great detail ensuring the blood covered the frame and lentil completely trying to not miss a spot. Focused on the details. Painting up and down as their hands shook wondering if they got it right.

Another family would argue over what makes up the lentil and the frame while loudly discussing how much to stroke across the top and down the sides. Their voices tense and rude with one another.

Yet, while another family known for being noisy and finding laughter in everything, would slap the blood on in  swift strokes across the lentil and fast strokes down the frame while laughing and telling stories to each other. Not really caring if it covered every nook and cranny. Having fun despite the seriousness of the situation.

While another family will ignore the command to cover the lentil and frame. They didnt feel the need, but they felt they had peace about their relationship with God. He would pass over because they were good.  So they would ignore the command about covering the lentil and door frame with the blood of the lamb because they were too busy focused on other things that distracted them.

Which family's experienced the blessing of death passing over them?

I hope you said, the three that put the blood on the lentil and frame.

Their emotions and discussions DID NOT play a factor in what God did. However, their obedience did matter. For the LORD said, "When I see the blood, I will pass on."  It did not matter if it was a lot or a small amount. It simply mattered that they obeyed and were covered by the sacrifice of the blood of the lamb.

While the family that did nothing suffered because they did not obey. They lost their first born sons that resided in their homes because they did not cover their door with the blood of the lamb.

Often, we make excuses for our lack of obedience because of a feeling. We feel, "I am okay with God. I have peace. I am good", but if we do not obey His Word, we do not honor Him.

In our own way, culturally we have made ourselves little gods. We make our feelings, wants, and desires that are contrary to the Word of God more important than God. That is false worship. It is the worship of ME. What I want, they way I want it, and when I want it. These feelings will not save us. Only obedience to God's Word will bring forth His grace.

As I have been meditating on this for several weeks, God gave me this visual in a painting to show what the coverings could have looked like. One morning, I woke up with the image of the cross and Jesus' blood in the middle of the doors.

Just as God provided a plan for Moses and the people of God to get out of bondage many years ago, He has provided for us a way to have His covering for eternal life. It is believing that God sent Jesus to die on the cross, rise from the dead, conquer sin once and for all (John 3:16). We are given the promise that if we believe in Jesus, we will have the gift of eternal life. It is His shed blood that covers us and causes death to passover eternally.

Have you covered your heart with the blood of the Lamb? 

Jesus' blood sacrifice is the covering we are given as our promise today. This is how we get His presence with us and are able to walk in true worship of God.

Shalom! Shalom!

What am I becoming?

I have no idea if you have ever encountered this, but there are times when a conversation is happening when I realize that I am confronted with the attitude, "I am fine. It feels good or feels right to me, so it must be okay with God." 

I find myself stumped sometimes in these moments feeling like I do not know how to respond. I might think of something later, but in the moment, I think I am surprised and go blank. 

Recently, this kind of conversation had me pondering holiness and what causes us to veer away from it. Our culture's pursuit of "I want what I want, when I want it" mentality has me stumped and well quite honestly very sad. Don't get me wrong. It isn't because I think I am holier. I know I AM NOT! I have had my own moments of pursuing what I wanted without any thought to the consequences and then reaped the suffering that came at my own hand. 

My grief comes from knowing the consequences of thinking, "I am okay" when I was not and truly wishing someone would have intervened for me. 

So, this morning I sat in the pursuit of holiness and the importance of it. I am hoping to convey the gift and beauty. Honestly, I recognize that my lists will not do anything for the one that is not seeking holiness. In fact, it will feel like death. But, for the one that truly has a heart to turn to God and pursue Him and righteousness it will bring life. 

I am hoping that it will help this one. Maybe it be you. As for me, it was a beautiful reminder of why I long for the mind of Christ to be made known in me. 

What does it mean to be holy as I am holy? (Lev. 11:44; 1 Peter 1:15-16)

In Hebrew, the word "holy" means to be set apart for a purpose. Holiness is about an active pursuit of God and reflecting His character. It is about moving forward in obedience in every area of your life.

Interestingly, what we worship impacts our holiness because we become what we worship. 

What we worship is a reflection of our inner being. So, we must ask ourselves, “What am I becoming?” 

Because our holiness begins internally and what is internal will become how we become externally. It will affect every relationship. 

We must remember that holiness is not about rules, laws, or regulations as much as it is the pursuit of God and allowing the mind of Christ to become the formation of our character. IF our mind is on becoming more like Christ, we are less likely to pursue the things of this earth.

This is not about a life of perfection, but of pursuit. It is about growing, knowing, learning, and leaving behind that which will hinder our ability to reflect His glory. The fun and crazy part is that when we start to get our focus on Him, these things begin to bring about a change in us that we are not even aware. Without realizing it our minds are changing and we become surprised by the Mind of Christ in us! Pure JOY!

Sacredness of Sound

Have you ever noticed how the sacred often comes in a holy pause that is filled with silence or a quietness that brings peace? 

I found it interesting that in the building of the temple in 1 Kings 6:7, we are told that no hammer or tool was heard at the temple site while it was built. 

Y'all it took 7 years to build.

Think holy awe, but in the construction. 

Construction sites are always noisy. But in the building of the Dwelling Place of God no hammers or tools were heard.

Do you sense the peace?

His dwelling place was built in a peaceful atmosphere.

Did you know we are told that the righteous will live in quiet dwellings? (Is. 32:17-18). 

Did you know that there is quietness in His presence? (Hab. 2:20).

Or that we can wait in peaceful rest for the LORD? (Ps. 62:1-2,5).

Or that Jesus remained silent in the face of His accusers (Is. 42-1-12, Is. 53).

God will stop the noise of the ruthless (Is. 25:5).

There is a time to be silent (Ecc. 3:7).

And noise without love is empty (1 Cor. 13:1).

I don't know about you, but I know when I am dwelling in peace and when I am not. There is a sacred awe that fills us when we guard against the noise when we draw near to God. 

I am asking myself, "What noise am I allowing in when I approach God?"